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In a landmark move, the federal government has introduced a bill that allows Pakistanis with dual citizenship to retain their Pakistani nationality even after acquiring citizenship in another country.
The Pakistan Citizenship Amendment Bill 2025, introduced by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Talal Chaudhry in the National Assembly, has been referred to the relevant standing committee for further review and action.
The legislation aims to resolve long-standing concerns of overseas Pakistanis who were previously forced to renounce their Pakistani citizenship upon obtaining another nationality.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Talal Chaudhry stated that, “Under the new bill, Pakistani citizens will not be required to give up their citizenship if they take the nationality of another country.”
He further added that Pakistan already has dual nationality agreements with several countries, and this bill aims to align with those understandings while safeguarding the rights of Pakistanis living abroad.
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The bill is being seen as part of the government’s broader initiative to engage overseas Pakistanis in national development by removing legal barriers that restrict their participation.
However, during the same session, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar criticized the use of ordinances for legal reforms and urged that legislation be conducted solely through Parliament to maintain transparency and democratic procedure.
In addition to the dual citizenship bill, the Motor Vehicles Industry Development Bill 2024 was also presented, focusing on the growth and regulation of Pakistan’s auto sector.
Both legislative moves are considered major developments in the current session and are expected to have a significant impact on overseas engagement and industrial growth.
